Among these, the Trivela soccer technique stands out as a mesmerizing skill that can elevate a player’s game to new heights.

Whether you’re a budding soccer enthusiast or an experienced player looking to refine your technique, mastering the Trivela can significantly enhance your arsenal on the field.

In this article, I’ll take you through the easy steps to learn the Trivela soccer technique, breaking down the fundamentals and providing practical tips to help you strike the ball with finesse, precision, and style.

Understanding the Trivela Technique

The Trivela technique is a captivating skill in soccer.

It involves striking the ball with the outside of the foot and curving it in the opposite direction of your kicking foot.

This technique is known for its ability to deceive opponents, create unexpected ball trajectories, and, most importantly, add flair to your game.

Originating from Portuguese soccer, it has gained global recognition for its effectiveness and aesthetics. Understanding the Trivela goes beyond just learning how to perform it; it’s about grasping the physics of the movement, which allows you to control the ball’s path with precision.

This article will delve into the nuances of the Trivela, breaking down its components to make it accessible to players of all levels.

Essential Equipment and Field Setup

Before you embark on your Trivela journey, having the right gear and field conditions is crucial.

Start with selecting an appropriate soccer ball that is properly inflated and suited for your skill level.

Additionally, ensure that you have the proper footwear – cleats designed for soccer will provide the necessary grip and support.

When it comes to the practice field, choose a flat and well-maintained surface, preferably a soccer pitch.

Make sure to mark out a target or goal to aim for.

Proper field setup sets the foundation for effective Trivela training, allowing you to focus on perfecting your technique without any hindrances.

Mastering the Trivela Stance

The Trivela stance is the starting point for executing this exquisite technique.

Position your body at a slight angle to the target, with your non-kicking shoulder pointing in the direction you want the ball to curve.

Distribute your weight evenly on both feet, with your knees slightly bent for balance and mobility.

Place your non-kicking foot parallel to the ball, ensuring it’s pointing in the direction you want it to travel.

The key to the Trivela stance is maintaining stability and flexibility, as it sets the stage for the graceful execution of this skill.

You’ll be better prepared to unleash the Trivela with precision and accuracy by perfecting your stance and consistently bending the ball as intended.

Step-by-Step Guide to The Trivela Technique

The Trivela technique hinges on striking the ball with the outside of your foot while imparting a controlled spin.

1. Stand at a 10 Degree Angle from the Ball

Start by approaching the ball at a slight angle, typically from the side, with your non-kicking foot placed next to the ball.

As you swing your kicking foot, ensure that your ankle is locked and your toes are pointed down to create the desired contact surface.

2. Strike the Ball With the Edge of Your Foot

Make contact with the outer edge of your foot, near the base of your little toe, and focus on hitting the center of the ball’s side.

The Trivela shot relies on your foot wrapping around the ball, causing it to spin and curve.

3. Keep Your non-kicking Foot Flexible

Simultaneously, use your non-kicking foot to guide your body’s rotation, which adds finesse to the strike.

Practice these steps, honing your ball-striking technique until you consistently generate the desired curving effect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While learning the Trivela technique, you must be aware of common mistakes that can hinder your progress.

One prevalent error is improper foot positioning.

Failing to strike the ball with the outer edge of your foot can lead to a loss of control and accuracy.

Another mistake to watch out for is overexerting power.

The Trivela is about finesse and precision, not raw force.

Attempting to hit the ball too hard often results in errant shots and diminished accuracy.

Lastly, neglecting your non-kicking foot’s role in guiding your body’s rotation can lead to instability during the shot.

Recognizing and addressing these mistakes is crucial to refining your Trivela technique and ensuring consistent performance on the field.

Drills and Practice Routines

Effective drills and practice routines are vital for mastering the Trivela technique.

Begin with stationary drills that focus on ball control and foot placement.

Gradually progress to moving drills that simulate game scenarios, such as dribbling toward a target and executing a Trivela shot.

Incorporate variations like using cones or markers to simulate defenders and targets.

Additionally, practice short- and long-range Trivela shots to develop versatility in your gameplay.

As you advance, consider partner drills where you can receive passes and execute Trivela shots in a dynamic setting.

A well-structured practice routine that includes a mix of these drills will accelerate your Trivela proficiency and help you integrate this skill seamlessly into your soccer repertoire.

Real-Game Applications

Understanding how and when to use the Trivela in real-game situations is crucial for becoming a well-rounded player.

The Trivela can curve the ball around defenders, bypass a goalkeeper, or even provide that unexpected element in free-kick scenarios.

Learning to read the game and assess when the Trivela is the most advantageous option will take your soccer IQ to the next level.

Remember that it’s not just about executing the technique but also about making the right decisions in the heat of the moment.

By studying professional players and their use of the Trivela in actual matches, you can gain insights into its strategic applications and hone your game accordingly.

Advanced Trivela Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic Trivela technique, you can explore advanced variations to elevate your skills further.

One such variation is the “Reverse Trivela,” where you strike the ball with the inside of your foot to create a reverse curve.

This can be particularly useful for surprising opponents and creating unpredictable ball movement.

Additionally, you can experiment with adjusting the power, angle, and spin of your Trivela shots to adapt to various game situations.

These advanced techniques require a deep understanding of ball physics and extensive practice to execute consistently.

However, incorporating them into your skill set can make you a formidable force on the soccer field, capable of performing dazzling and unexpected maneuvers that confound defenders and goalkeepers.

I have taken many shots on goal over the years and want to share with you what I have learned through experience.

So how exactly do you shoot a soccer ball?

To shoot a soccer ball:

1. Kick the ball towards your opponent’s goal with the top of your foot.
2. Keep your foot at a 45-55° angle as you make contact with the center of the ball.
3. Ensure your standing foot is pointing towards your target and follow through with your shot.

In this guide, I’m going to take you through a step-by-step process of the best technique for shooting a soccer ball. I’ll also show you how to do this with maximum power and accuracy.

We’ll also look at some advanced shooting techniques, such as shooting while the ball is in the air and shooting while running.

If you put all these tips into practice, you’ll be far more successful at shooting by the end of this article than you are right now!

Let’s get started.

The 5 Steps of Shooting a Soccer Ball

Shooting a soccer ball effectively requires using the correct technique.

I’ve seen many people put maximum effort in only to see poor results because they were not using the best technique.

Factors to consider range from:

• your posture before and after shooting
• to the distance between you and the ball.

There are 5 key steps to take when shooting in soccer.

To shoot a soccer ball:

1. Line up your body for the shot
2. Point your standing foot toward your target
3. Lock your ankle in position
4. Kick the ball with the top of your shoe
5. Follow through with your kicking leg

Let’s look at each of these steps in a little more detail.

1. Line Up Your Body for the Shot

Taking an effective shot at goal starts with your body position.

A successful kick results from your legs, arms, torso, and feet working together in harmony. It will take practice and a conscious effort at first, but soon it will become second nature.

Although power through the ball is important, kicking the ball with strength is not all you must keep in mind. 

Bending both knees and keeping your opposite arm away from your body gives you balance. 

If you are shooting with your right foot, put your left arm out and lean slightly to the left as you kick the ball. If you kick with your left foot, counterbalance with your right arm and lean slightly to the right.

The way your body leans will also affect the shot.

The farther you lean back when you kick the ball, the higher it will go. Conversely, keeping your body upright will produce a mid-height shot or one low to the ground.

Also, remember to bend the knee of your standing leg a little as you strike the ball and not lock it in place. This gives your body the ability to adjust your position at the last moment as necessary.

Lastly, keep your head over the ball as you strike it. This position helps keep your shot low and on target and makes it much harder for the goalie to stop it going into the goal.

Check out the video below to see this position in action.

2. Point Your Standing Foot Toward Your Target

The planter foot is the foot that does not strike the ball when taking a shot.

People often ignore this foot, but it is vital to a great shot.

Aim to point the toes of this foot in the direction you want to send the ball. 

Directing the position of this foot towards the target helps line up your entire body for a successful shot.

The distance of this foot from the ball is also significant.

It would be best to aim for your planter foot to be roughly 1 foot (12 inches) from the ball when you strike it. This is about the width of a soccer ball.

This distance from the ball keeps your body nicely lined up for the shot on goal.

3. Lock Your Ankle in Position

Lock your ankle to keep in position and keep your foot stable as it hits the ball. If your foot doesn’t control the ball’s movement, the ball will do the controlling.

A flimsy foot will spin the ball and cause it to have equally flimsy motions.

Just be aware that you don’t want all your muscles to tense up, only those in your ankle. If all your leg muscles bunch up, the motion of your kick can malfunction and alter your shot’s momentum. So relax and keep your leg muscles loose but lock your ankle.

4. Kick the Ball With the Top of Your Foot

The next step is the contact between your foot and the ball.

The most important factor to remember here is which part of your foot you use to strike the ball.

When taking a shot, you should kick a soccer ball with the top of your foot or the laces of your cleats. Using this part of your foot will give you the best chance of achieving maximum power and accuracy.

Although you will occasionally want to use the side of your foot, the top is the better option most of the time.

Always avoid kicking the ball with your toes. It’s far harder to control where the ball goes, and it almost always hurts more!

Concerning the best angle to kick a soccer ball, research shows that for most players, the optimum projection angle should be about 45-55°. Of course, many outside factors influence this but aim for this angle as you strike the ball.

It’s essential to keep your eyes on the ball as you make contact and keep your toes pointed down.

You also need to make sure you keep your head over the ball. As I mentioned earlier, if you lean too far back as you take a shot, you risk the ball rising up over the goal and missing your target entirely.

5. Follow Through on Your Kick

A shot on goal isn’t complete once you have made contact with the ball. The follow-through from your leg is just as important.

Engineers from MIT showed that a good follow-through can help you:

“hit the ball with the maximum amount of force and control at the point of impact.”

With an effective follow-through, you can use your entire body to continue the forward momentum of your shot.

You’ll also generate more power for long kicks with a good follow-through, and It will also help produce more pace and spin on the ball.

After you have made contact with the ball, aim to keep your leg moving toward your target.

If it helps, I recommend getting out on the training field and comparing your kicks with and without a follow-through. You’ll soon appreciate the difference!

Your Mindset Can Make All the Difference

Before moving on to show you some advanced techniques and different ways to shoot in soccer, I want to remind you to keep your confidence up!

You have to believe that your shot will be on target to increase the chance of hitting the target. If you shoot with a mindset of missing, you will miss the shot more often than not.

At first, it may seem as though you will never master this skill, but I promise you that if you keep practicing, you will improve.

Remember:

You shoot a soccer ball with your whole body, tensing some muscles and relaxing others. Keep your head over the ball, strike it with the laces of your cleats, make sure you follow through with your leg, and you will be shooting effectively in almost no time at all!

Now let’s look at the different parts of the foot you can use to strike a soccer ball.

The Different Parts of the Foot You Can Use to Strike a Soccer Ball

As previously discussed, the best way to shoot a soccer ball is to strike the ball with your laces.

But the fact is, you can use various parts of your foot to strike a soccer ball. The part of your foot will depend on what you want to get from the shot and your position when you take the shot.

You can strike the ball with

• either side of your foot: instep or outstep,
• toe,
• heel,
• laces,
• and even the sole.

Each part has its strengths and weaknesses, and some are better choices than others.

Here is a description of what each part of the foot does and when you may want to use it during a game:

The Instep

For passing and sometimes shooting, you can use the instep or inside of the foot.

It helps with accuracy, but it has less power. With the larger surface area of this part of your foot, you get better contact with the ball.

It is also effective at moving the ball sideways and for free kicks.

The Outstep

Like the instep, the outside of the foot can move the ball sideways, take free kicks, shots, and pass the ball.

When you strike the ball with the outstep, it may spin and curve in the air.

When using this part, hit the center of the ball with power for maximum effect.

The Heel

You can use the heel of your foot for short-distance passes and shots close to the goalpost.

Players often use their heels when they want to surprise their opponents or perform tricks.

The Laces (or top of your foot)

This is the part of your foot between your ankle and toe. It is best to use when shooting with power.

The top gives players the most power and control, and many use it for long-distance shots or long-driven passes.

The Sole

The sole of the foot is essential for trapping, controlling, and, in extremes, shooting a bouncing ball that needs a little push in the correct direction. 

The Toe

While it is bad to toe-punt a ball at the beginning of your soccer training, the toe has its uses.

A “toe poke” is a vital skill for a striker, and it comes into play when a player is stretching for the ball. 

The toe is also perfect when you want to chip the ball by poking the bottom of the ball with the toe area of your cleats.

All parts of a player’s foot or leg can legally strike the soccer ball. 

Players have even scored goals using the bottom of their cleats!

Whatever you use, ensure that it’s appropriate for your target. 

Know which parts of your foot to use each time and become adept at using all parts. Opportunities on the pitch will open up to you as fast as you can hone your skills with both feet.

If you have the resources, I highly recommend getting hold of a Playermaker device that straps around your cleats. This will give you accurate data on how you strike the ball and confidence as you see your technique improve.

Check out my Playermaker Smart Soccer Tracker Review for more information on this device.

Advanced Shooting Techniques in Soccer

Once you have mastered the foundational elements of shooting in soccer, you will want to try some more advanced techniques.

Advanced shooting options include:

• Shooting while the ball is in the air 
• Shooting while running with the ball
• Chipping the ball (hit the ball right under the tip of your cleats with no toe action)
• Slicing the ball (striking the ball on the outside of your foot, trailing it away from the ball as you hit it)
• Hooking the ball (kicking the ball on the inside of your foot and turning your foot forward slightly as you strike it)

To really master these, you will need to improve your all-around game.

If you are interested, I have multiple lists of soccer drills you can do that improve your skill level and speed up your trajectory to the advanced level of the game.

Check out one of the lists below.

• Top 10 Soccer Drills for Beginners
• Best Soccer Ball Control and Footwork Drills
• 10 Best Soccer Attacking Drills

Similar to how Rome wasn’t built in a day, you cannot play at an advanced level like Messi on your first try.

Practice with your team and practice on your own time. 

I would even recommend recording your private practice sessions to review your techniques and improve

Now get out there and give it a go!

If you haven’t heard of this product or don’t know too much about it, then let me quickly explain what we are talking about.

The Playermaker is a wearable tracker for soccer players. It straps around your foot and tracks soccer-specific metrics throughout a training session or game. After a session, you can connect your Playermaker smart sensors to an app that displays metrics enabling you to comprehensively review your performance.

In this review, I’ll do a deep dive into the specifics and capabilities of this latest soccer tech.

I’ll show you:

• The benefits of using the Playermaker,
• How it feels in a real-world scenario,
• The advantages of this particular tracker over others,
• and why you should consider using one.

Let’s get started!!

Playermaker Wearable Tracker Overview

The company behind this product talk about how the Playermaker uses its ability to track physical and technical soccer metrics to seamlessly turn your cleats into “smart cleats”.

Using some really clever technology, Playermaker measures foot-to-ball interaction with a smart sensor attached to each foot.

These sensors have a built-in gyroscope and accelerometer that samples movement events at 1000 times/sec!

This incredible level of sensitivity allows the measurement of almost every micro-movement your feet make, from the impact of your foot on the ball to the angle of rotation of each foot as it moves.

Using the Playermaker is also really simple.

• First, you strap the smart sensors to your feet before a game or training session.
• Next, once you’re finished, you connect the sensors to the Playermaker app on your smartphone or tablet.
• Then you can review all the stats and metrics to see how you performed. And even share the results with others if you like.

In the video below, you can see how easy it is to put on your cleats.

Find out more on the PlayerMaker Website

Items Included with the Playermaker

When you purchase the Playermaker, it comes equipped with the following:

• a user guide,
• Uno case,
• right and left straps,
• right and left smart sensors,
• and a charging cable.

The Playermaker is suited for both soccer cleats and artificial turf shoes, regardless of shoe size.

Purchasing a Playermaker also gives you:

• More than 15 different soccer metrics
• Sharing functions 
• The capability of charging with a USB cable
• Sensors covered with durable silicone straps
• Choice of gray or black straps
• and the choice of medium or large straps

What exact metrics does the Playermaker track?

The Playermaker tracks everything from ball control (touch, release, possessions) to playing tempo (one-touch, short/long possessions, avg. duration on the ball, etc.), possession types, tech balance, and much more.

Here’s the full list of everything the Playermaker tracks:

I really like that I can see these stats that are specific to my interactions with the soccer ball. 

When it comes to speed, for example, I can check in on my sprints, as well as my accelerations and decelerations on the field.

It’s key to understand this if I want to up my tempo in games.

Also, the volume category lets me monitor my distance and endurance when it comes to soccer conditioning skills. I can easily access data for sprint distances, total distance covered, and work rate.

Having this data helps to make adjustments to my performance based on facts rather than outside opinions.

One technical aspect that I really like about this tool is that it tracks both my dominant and my weak foot.

The Playermaker assesses the discrepancies between my two feet, keying me into data that shows me which foot is performing better and how I can improve my other foot. 

Not only does this device allow me to access all of this tracking data, but I can also look at my progress over time in a chart and see my results as I progress.

If you want, you can even compare your metrics to elite soccer players and see how well you stack up against them! (Just don’t be too disappointed if you’re not quite at their level yet!)

This is potentially a game changer for players looking to set goals and reach them with practical steps that they can monitor day-to-day.

Check out the video below to find out how an MLS soccer club used the Playermaker to take their academy players up to the first-team level.

How the Playermaker Feels to Wear

Something that I care a lot about when it comes to my gear is how it feels.

Comfort and ergonomics are just as important as functionality when it comes to wearable sports technology. If something is uncomfortable and is negatively impacting your game when you wear it, then it is not worth your time or money.

One of the cool things about this tracker is that it’s designed with comfort in mind.

Rather than having to place it on my back or wear it on uncomfortable areas of my body, I can attach it to my cleats. This is markedly different from the vest soccer GPS trackers that I have reviewed in the past. (And I’ll look at how the GPS trackers compare to these in more detail in a moment)

The Playermaker practically goes unnoticed when I’m playing and doesn’t distract me from what’s most important – my performance. 

Many Playermaker wearers even note that they forget they’re even wearing this tracker while it’s in use, and I agree with their assessment. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when it only weighs 6 grams!

It’s one of the only wearable soccer trackers that combines both comfort and soccer-specific stats.

The Advantages of Using a Playermaker 

Next, I want to discuss why Playermaker is notably better than other tracker options for soccer players.

I know all too well how products get hyped up but are just as, if not less, functional than market competitor products.

That’s why I’ve made sure to pay attention to the areas where Playermaker really steps it up compared to other wearable trackers. 

• Designed with durability in mind (can withstand the roughest playing conditions)
• Suitable for both amateur and elite players
• Suitable for all ages (kids and adults)
• Designed with discrete comfort in mind (I don’t have to wear it on my back, chest, or wrist)
• Tracks specific soccer metrics, like possessions, ball touches, strong/weak foot, etc., which other trackers like FitBit do not
• Tracking helps boost power, agility, ball control, and speed skills
• Ability to review metrics over the last 6-12 months, as well as metrics for games
• USB charging cable lets me easily recharge the sensors on the go, even in the car
• Sensors have indicator lights to easily understand the status

Benefits of Using Playermaker

In my use, I found a lot of benefits of using Playermaker to track my soccer performance. 

General Benefits

Not only can I monitor and review my metrics on and off the field, I can also share my results and compare my progress with fellow players.

This keeps me competitive and eager to meet my goals for volume, speed, involvement, and other metrics. 

The Playermaker is also water-resistant and can be used in all weather conditions.

Soccer.com provide a great little video on how well it works here:

Find out more on the PlayerMaker Website

Quality Assurances

Aside from the general benefits of this being one of the most effective performance trackers on the market, my purchase also came with a lot of assurances, too. 

I know firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in rough play, inclement weather, and/or unexpected things when I’m on the field. And I want to feel assured that my product isn’t going to fail on me or that I at least have a backup plan in place if something should happen to my gear.

So a huge draw-in for me was the fact that there is a one-year warranty on the hardware of the device and charging case.

I also get a 30-day money-back guarantee with my purchase from Playermaker, who are willing to assist me in customer support whenever I need it.

Versatility Factor

Additionally, this tracker is incredibly versatile.

I can wear it on various surfaces, like artificial turf, grass, concrete, or even the gym floor when I’m practicing off the field.

I can also feel safe wearing it when I’m playing rough or when I’m just practicing – it’s truly multipurpose.

Likeability 

Further, Playermaker is approved by professional soccer players around the world, and it’s duly recommended for professional use.

It’s garnered a lot of 5-star reviews from sources like the LA Football Club, with customers like me noting the comfort of the tracker’s placement. 

It’s also well-liked for its educational ability – I can truly learn a lot about my skills and weaknesses when I’m wearing this tracker.

In that sense, it’s also beneficial for coaches who want to monitor their players and assess improvement strategies for touches, possessions, and other soccer skills.

How Playermaker Compares to GPS Soccer Trackers

As I’m sure you’re aware, there are a number of different soccer trackers available to purchase.

They all offer different experiences and have different advantages and disadvantages.

One of the key differences between the Playermaker and the others is that almost all the others rely on GPS tracking to assess your performance and provide the metrics.

This is useful in specific circumstances, such as when you want to see location-based stats, such as a heat map of your position during a game and how fast you are moving. But is limited in many other ways. (If you do want this specific capability, then check out my review of the best GPS Soccer trackers.)

For example, a GPS tracker can tell you how much distance you covered during a game but not how much of that time you were in possession of the ball. The Playermaker can tell you this.

And the GPS can track your movement OK outdoors, but as soon as you try and use it indoors, the signal is less reliable as the roof of the building will interfere with the quality of the connection.

The Playmaker doesn’t have this problem.

GPS trackers that you wear over your chest or around your wrist are also not capable of giving you any information about the following:

• What your feet are doing
• How often you’re kicking the ball
• Your kick velocity
• Your balance with and without the ball
• The number of touches you have taken during a game

Considering that what you do in possession of the ball is one of the most important parts of your performance, it is a huge advantage to have this information available.

Price of the Playermaker and Its Value

Having looked at what the Playermaker does, it’s important to ask if it is worth it for the price.

The truth is that Playermaker is a pricey piece of sports technology, but I think it has a lot to show for itself.

The Playermaker costs $199.00. This price includes the smart sensors, straps, USB cable, and a one-year subscription to the Playermaker UNO app.

Playermaker reaches into the more expensive side of wearable trackers. However, given the warranty that comes with it, the wealth of information it provides, as well as the included gear and accessories, I think it’s well worth the extra cost. 

I find that this tracker helps me to improve my game in areas that other trackers might not, and I can rest assured that it will last a long time. 

Furthermore, Playermaker is often running sales on this tracker, making the value for the price even more worthwhile. Check out their website here to see what sale they are running right now.

And if you use the coupon code: yoursoccer when you purchase one through their website, they will automatically apply a $40 discount!

The Consensus – Why I Think Playermaker Is Worth Buying

At the end of the day, I’m recommending the Playermaker wearable tracker for soccer players for its value, functionality, and capabilities that go beyond traditional trackers.

I’ve evaluated it based on comfort level, durability, and soccer-specific tracking functions so that I can determine how useful it is for professional and amateur soccer players alike. 

It’s the best tracker at the moment to offer soccer-specific metrics, with over 15 stats (possessions, touches, speed, distance, etc.), and it’s really easy to set up and use.

Furthermore, I like that I get my money’s worth with a 1-year warranty, money-back guarantees, and included accessories, charger, and case. 

Although the price is somewhat steep for a wearable tracker, I recommend trying out the Playermaker since it exceeds the norm and will last a long time. 

Click here to go straight to their website, or click the button below.

To pass a soccer ball effectively, you need to point your standing foot towards your target as you kick the ball with the inside of your foot. Then, ensure you follow through with the foot that strikes the ball after making contact with the ball.

The most important thing to learn about passing a ball is the basic passing techniques and how to perform them correctly.

Passing is more than just hitting the ball. It is about how you place your standing leg and maintain your body balance.

In this guide, I’ll explain each critical factor that every soccer player must pay attention to.

I’ll also take you through all of the main types of passes used during a game and explain how you can perform each one accurately and effectively.

Best Technique for Passing a Soccer Ball

Soccer is a team sport, and to win games, you need to work together with your teammates. To successfully work together as a team, it is essential to make precise passes from one player to another.

Soccer has progressed as a game with incredible speed in recent decades. Today it is a dynamic sport dominated mainly by teams that can get the ball under their control and keep possession.

Scoring a goal in a soccer game is usually the result of the cooperation between several players of a team.

Studies show that the most successful teams have between 88% -90% successful passes during games. This statistic clearly indicates how important this aspect of the game is.

So let’s go through the steps necessary to pass a soccer ball.

1. Point Your Standing Foot Toward Your Intended Target

Many beginners believe that the kicking foot is all that matters when passing a ball, but you need to pay special attention to your standing foot.

To be precise, pay attention to the direction it’s pointing.

It helps if you always aim to point your standing foot toward your target. It will increase the accuracy of your pass, as your kicking foot will naturally follow along the direction.

The truth is, a poorly positioned standing foot will require additional effort from the rest of your body to send the ball to your target.

In addition, do not place your standing foot too far from the ball. Instead, you should put it right next to the ball as you make the pass.

2. Bend the Knee of Your Standing Leg

You also need to focus on the knee of your standing leg.

Bending your standing leg slightly before passing will allow you to have better body balance. This will directly influence the accuracy of your pass.

As you place your foot to make a pass, focus on ensuring that your standing leg is slightly bent rather than straight. This helps your body adjust to the ball’s movement and your kicking foot.

3. Pass With the Inside of Your Foot

Next comes the part where you make contact with the ball.

For the majority of the time, you will want to kick the ball with the inside of your foot. That is the curved part on the inner side of your foot.

Making contact with the ball here provides the most control and accuracy for the pass.

However, different passing techniques require using other areas of the foot.

Focus on practicing passing with the outer and laces part of the foot as well, so you can use various passing techniques during the game. That way, you will not limit your passing skill.

In 99 percent of game situations, you will use the mentioned three parts of the foot, so focus on their improvement. But make practicing your passes with the inner side of your foot the priority.

4. Follow-Through With Your Kicking Foot

After you make contact with the ball, let your kicking foot follow through in the direction of the ball.

Follow-through will allow you to apply more power to your pass and maintain better control over it.

Going short with the swing of your kicking foot after the pass can decrease the contact with the ball.

Performing follow-through provides you with a better connection and more control over the ball, which gives more power and precision.

5. Keep Your Head up When Passing

The greatest masters of the soccer game have always been those who had a great overview of the playing field. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common mistakes of all soccer beginners when learning to pass.

Keeping your head up will allow you to assess the position of your teammate adequately and will enable you to make any last-second adjustments to your pass.

Knowing proper passing technique is useless if you are not sure where to send the ball—keeping your head down limits the overview of the playing field and player’s position, which will have a negative impact on your passing accuracy.

A clear overview of the situation on the field is essential to perform well-timed and precise passes.

6. Use Both of Your Feet to Pass the Ball

Mastering passing skill requires practicing both of your feet and not limiting your passing options just on your dominant foot.

It is better to get used to it from the start, so you develop both of your feet equally, which will allow you to have better control over the ball during the game.

Being capable of passing the ball with both feet makes you a more dangerous player on the field and is an attribute that all the coaches love.

Type of Passes in Soccer and How to Pass the Ball in Each Scenario

Throughout a soccer game, you will have the opportunity to pass the ball in several ways.

The types of passes used in soccer are:

• Side short pass
• Drive Pass
• Chip Pass
• Lofted Long Pass
• Low Driven Long Pass
• Curved Long Pass
• The Volley Pass
• The Travel
• Whipped Pass

If you can become an expert in each of these possibilities, you will always have an option to pass the ball even in difficult situations.

Let’s look at each one, and I’ll share some tips and techniques to help you master them.

1. Side Short Pass

A side pass or a push pass is a type of ground pass and, most often, a short pass.

It is considered a simple pass yet is one of the most important passing skills to learn.

It is a great tool to accomplish accurate and quick passing play, especially when playing a possession game.

When making this type of pass, key things to think about are keeping the toe up and heel down of your passing foot. In addition, the ankle must stay firm in the moment of contact with the ball to achieve better control and have more power.

It’s important to have in mind the position of your standing foot.

Your standing should be next to the ball and in pointing the desired direction of the pass. Now, the passing foot follows through as you hit the ball with the inner part of your foot with the desired pass weight.

You should strive to hit the ball in the middle.

Kicking the ball lower will lift it up while hitting it above the center will give the ball additional spin and could give it a bouncing effect.

Another vital thing to have in mind is that this type of ground pass uses the movement of the hip and not the knee, as most people think. 

2. Instep Drive Pass

The instep drive pass is a pass that is slightly above the ground, one to three feet above the ground, to be precise.

It is a quick, direct low pass used for swift side change or building up a counterattack. It is extremely useful when playing on slippery or wet surfaces.

The goal of using this passing technique is to pass the ball to your teammate as fast as possible.

When performing this pass, the main thing to have in mind is to hit the ball with the laces part of your cleats, sometimes even with your ankle.

The ankle must stay firm when kicking the ball, and the standing foot is placed next to the ball with toes in the direction of the pass.

With a dominant foot, you hit the middle of the ball with the top part of the cleats.

This passing technique is unique because you need to place your knee more over the ball before hitting it. Combined with keeping your body upright, the ball should stay somewhat low and not go above knee height.

3. Chip Pass

Chip pass is a type of air pass, most commonly a short distance pass used to tip the ball over the opponent to your teammate, especially for a header.

It is beneficial when you wish to make use of limited space between opponents’ backlines.

You need to strike the ball with your toes right under the ball. This often means even scraping the ground with your studs.

This technique will generate immediate height and a lot of backspin. The goal is to “chip” the ball by sliding the foot under the ball in a somewhat swift and jabbing motion. 

4. Lofted Long Pass

Use this passing technique when you need to quickly change the side of play or send the ball in front of the opponent’s goal and over the defensive line.

It is a perfect pass to send the ball fast to your teammates on the other side of the pitch.

Place your standing foot beside the ball at a 45-degree angle, pointing away from the ball. Remember that the standing leg should be somewhat further from the ball than when performing a short pass. 

Now, your kicking foot should drive through the ball, hitting it with the laces area underneath the ball. This will give the ball a lot of backspin and height, which will slow the ball down as it drops.

To get extra power, lean back a little before hitting the ball, but not too much to lose balance. This should give more height to the ball.

5. Low Driven Long Pass

Use a low-driven long pass to send the ball from point A to point B as fast as possible. It does not need to go over opponents’ heads or curve the ball around them.

It is a powerful and direct pass, which players use to send the ball straight through the defensive line.

To perform the low-driven pass, hit the ball with the top of your foot slightly below the center of the ball. While performing it, you should lean both your legs away from the ball to help you get full ankle rotation.

The main difference between a Lofted pass and Low Driven pass is where you hit the ball.

Hitting the underside of the ball will result in more height but less power. Striking the ball close to the center will give the pass less height but more power.

So during the game, you must assess how much power and height you need in order to decide where to hit the ball.

6. Curved Long Pass

This technique is perfect when you need to play a hard-driven pass and curve the ball enough to go around the defender.

It can be performed as a ground or air pass and is a great solution when sending the ball to the flank for a cross.

With a traditional long pass technique, your body faces toward your target. However, to perform a curved pass, you should position yourself slightly to the side of your target. 

When it comes to hitting the ball, you need to strike across the ball, from a lower end to the middle, and follow through with your kicking foot strongly across your body.

7. The Volley Pass

Use the volley pass when you need to react quickly and send the ball toward your teammate, and you do not have enough time to receive the ball and put it under control.

It also opens up opportunities to create a counterattack.

The critical thing to have in mind is to keep eyes on the ball all the time before and during the pass. 

As the ball jumps off the ground, aim to hit the ball directly through its center with the laces part of your foot, or sometimes the ankle part.

It is essential to pay attention to ball movement before hitting it. It is not the same if the ball is dropping to the ground or going up.

In some cases, especially when the ball is going up, hitting the ball in the center will not do the trick. Instead, it will prevent you from performing a well-controlled pass, and the ball will often go way up in the air.

In such situations, you should hit the ball just above the center part, which will keep the ball down and prevent it from going in the air uncontrolled.

8. The Travel Pass

The travel pass is a fantastic pass option when the ball is on the side of your weaker foot and you wish to avoid using it.

It is an outside foot pass and very effective at longer and shorter distances. 

The goal here is to hit the ball with the outside part of your foot, to be more precise with your three outer toes. Those three toes should be in contact with the ball when performing the pass.

Place the ankle of your foot inwards, and make a slicing kick on the ball with mentioned three outer toes.

9. Whipped Pass

This passing technique is great for crossing the ball into the penalty area quickly and effectively.

It is a quite dangerous cross pass, which can cause many problems for defenders, especially in modern soccer where we have full-backs with an extremely attacking role.

To get a perfectly executed whipped pass, you want to aim to hit the ball with the bottom of your inner part of the foot, toward your inner toes. 

This passing technique is a side-on technique, so you should kick the edge of the ball. Also, remember to do a follow-through up and over the ball with your kicking foot to achieve extra spin.

For more soccer “How To” guides, check out one of my previous posts:

• How to Run Faster in Soccer: Drills, Tips, and Techniques
• How to Care For Your Soccer Cleats: Tips to Make Them Last
• How to Warm Up for Soccer: Step-by-Step Process

In this article, I will show you specific techniques you can implement to run faster than you can right now.

You can run faster in soccer by practicing basic acceleration, velocity, and endurance drills. Learning to use your arms properly is also essential, as your arm control is proportional to your speed. These improvements will help you increase your speed during a soccer game. 

In this article, you’ll learn some of the different types of speed in soccer. Then, I’ll share various drills, tips, and tricks to help you improve in each different kind of speed.

You’ll be speeding past your opponents before you know it!

Types of Speed in Soccer

To begin understanding how to run faster in soccer, it’s essential to know the different types of speed you’re required to have while moving around the soccer field. 

Here are some aspects of physical speed to understand in soccer before even trying to improve your speed as a soccer player.

Pure Speed

If you’re looking to improve your speed in soccer, this is most likely what you need to improve the most. 

Pure speed is the time required to cover the distance between two points on the field. It’s the most straightforward kind of speed to measure, and it’s further subdivided into two types.

Pure speed can be divided into on-ball speed and off-ball speed.

While the names explain what they mean, on-ball speed refers to how fast you can run while retaining possession of the ball. However, off-ball speed deals with your pure speed when you do not have the ball, such as when defending against a fast opponent.

Having a pretty high pure speed is an essential quality in soccer, as that’s what most observers use to judge a player’s speed. 

However, that isn’t the only kind of speed you should aim to improve while running faster.

Technical and Reaction Speed

Both technical and reaction speeds go hand in hand, and they impact your pure speed directly, affecting how fast you run.

Unfortunately, most players only pay attention to their pure speed and neglect their reaction speed, which isn’t the best option.

The soccer field isn’t a racetrack. So you can’t expect to keep running with the ball without encountering any obstacles. 

Your technical speed refers to your ability to manipulate the ball while running. Your reaction speed is how quickly you can detect and react to obstacles.

If you have a decent pure, technical, and reaction speed, you’ll become the new player to beat when it comes to speed in your team.

Mental Speed

I just want to mention mental speed here as well quickly. Although it’s hard to measure, it can make a difference for a player.

For example, one of the main advantages of mental speed is dealing with quick or instantaneous decision-making. 

Although this may seem unrelated to how fast you move across the ground, it indirectly relates. 

The quicker you decide to move at speed, the sooner your legs start running.

Drills, Tips, and Training Exercises to Run Faster in Soccer

Now you know the different kinds of speeds in soccer and how they’re capable of impacting your overall speed, it’s time to learn how to improve them.

Like every other skill and quality in soccer, top speed is hard to achieve. The best idea is to train continuously, improving your speed with each training session.

Before we look at my list of drills and tips, it’s important to note that you should also work on your all-around fitness to make the most of these. 

My guide on how to get in shape for soccer will help you get started, and my 30-Day Soccer Fitness Guide will give you a daily step-by-step program to follow for an entire month to see your fitness jump to the next level.

Here are some of my favorite training drills, tips, and tricks to help you outrun your limits in soccer.

Practice Basic Acceleration Drills

The first step to improving your speed is knowing how to speed up. 

If you can’t accelerate quickly, having a high peak speed will be pretty useless.

Hence, the first step to building up your velocity in the field of play is ensuring you can reach peak speed quickly.

Since coaches are well aware that this is the case, there are many acceleration drills to help you run faster in soccer. 

While these drills won’t make you Usain Bolt overnight, you should see an improvement in your reaction and pure speed when using these drills.

Here are some of the most powerful acceleration drills to try today to improve your speed in soccer.

Try convincing your coach or a fellow athlete to help out if the drill requires more than one person.

The Falling Start Drill

When you first start trying to improve your speed, you may not have the best idea of how to start running.

Starting to run with the wrong posture will affect your initial velocity, which is a problem with your acceleration and not your speed.

That problem explains why the falling start drill is classified as an acceleration drill instead of downright velocity training.

The falling start drill is pretty simple.

It involves you standing on the toes of your feet, leaning slowly to the falling position until your body naturally pushes you to run for it. At this point, you fall into a natural running position, sprinting to the target.

The goal of this drill is simple. It teaches you how to fall into a natural running position at any point in time during a game, making it easier to accelerate and increase your speed.

Half-Kneeling Start Drill

Nobody said you’ll always be standing comfortably when starting to run towards a target in the field of play.

In most cases, you’ll be in an uncomfortable position, and one of the most common awkward positions for soccer athletes is when they’re down on a knee.

To carry out the half kneeling start drill, kneel partly on one leg while looking forward at the target. Then, at the coach’s command, try to lean forward into a neutral position with a positive sheen angle.

This drill helps to improve your first steps while gaining speed when running in a soccer game. This major acceleration drill works well for both soccer and non-soccer athletes.

Practice Push-Start Exercises to Increase Your Speed

You don’t always have to start up a race like a sprinter in soccer. Instead, most of the time, you’ll have to turn suddenly or stand up quickly after a fall and accelerate to your maximum speed almost instantaneously.

This might not come naturally to every soccer athlete.

Fortunately, you can train with push-start speed exercises to improve your speed as soon as you get up to run after the ball.

The most effective push-start speed drills are pretty straightforward, and you can set up the apparatus to get started yourself.

You only need some cones and, if possible, an extra person to serve as a coach to help you with the drills.

(If you don’t have access to any cones, these ones on Amazon are a great, affordable option.)

Here are the steps required to set up an average push-start speed drill yourself without the help of a professional coach.

• Get two training cones and set them apart by a distance of about 20 meters. Depending on your experience level, you can either decrease or increase this distance.
• At the first cone, get into the push-up position and wait for an order from the coach. The push-up position requires you to position your body like you were about to start doing push-ups when you changed your mind.
• After instruction from the coach, the player at the first cone will stand up and run as fast as possible to the second cone.
• After reaching the second cone, the athlete may jog slowly back to the first cone, breathing heavily and recuperating. Once you return to the cone, you may have to repeat the drill a couple more times before calling it a session.

The more often you try this drill; the easier it will be for you to stand from a fall during a game without slowing down your team in the least.

Implement Dynamic Suicide Drills

It doesn’t matter how fast you can run; if you can’t maintain your speed for a reasonable amount of time, your speed will be pretty useless.

The best way to train for endurance is through basic dynamic suicide running drills that push you to the extremes.

The only apparatus that you need for a suicide drill is cones.

To make the exercise more interesting, you can find others from your team interested in running faster. While you’ll typically be running dynamic suicides during training, it remains a great way to increase your speed.

These drills’ main goal is to encourage you to run to a goal without caring about physical exhaustion. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to yourself during a dynamic suicide drill to avoid throwing up during the exercise.

Here are the steps required to set up and complete dynamic suicide drills alone or in a group.

• Set some cones (around three to five) in a reasonably straight line with a fairly equal distance between all of them. You shouldn’t focus much on the distance between the cones, as that doesn’t matter so much.

Alternatively, you can use clear and distinguishable points on the field instead of cones.

The goal is to have marks to denote specific points on the training pitch.

• Start running from the first cone or marking to the next one. Without any pause, turn around and run back to the starting cone. From the starting cone, run-up to the third cone, and back to the first cone again without stopping to rest.
• Just like that, you continue to run until you’ve cycled all the cones.

Check out the video below showing the dynamic suicide drill.

This is a great drill for midfielders to add to the 8 Best Soccer Drills for Midfielders list.

While the dynamic suicide running drill may seem easy, it’s very exhausting.

In addition, the drill makes lengthy distances look very short, deceiving you to think you can complete the challenge due to how straightforward it seems.

If you feel exhausted in the middle of a dynamic suicide drill, it’s always best to postpone it for another day. Unfortunately, soccer athletes throwing up while trying to improve their endurance with dynamic suicide drills isn’t as rare as you think.

If you can do it bravely and consistently for some time with other speed drills, you’ll be able to run fast and maintain your speed throughout a standard soccer match.

Improve Your Arm Techniques

Running in soccer is different from running in the Olympics or any other sport.

While running, you want to keep your arms close to ensure you’re not violating any of the several soccer rules that concern what you do with your arms.

The only way to effectively position your arms correctly while running in soccer is to learn it consciously. Using your arms correctly prevents you from tiring yourself out too quickly while avoiding fouls and running faster overall. 

Since the positioning of your arms is directly proportional to your speed, here are some clever techniques to help you run faster in the game of soccer.

Always Bend Your Arms to a 90-Degree-Like Angle

One of the main arm techniques to keep in mind when running in soccer is never to extend your arms fully.

Extending your arms fully while running in soccer will get you penalized so many times that you’ll think you’re running wrong.

When running, your hands should always go past your hip. If they’re much lower or higher, you’re probably overextending your arm, which may be problematic when you’re in an actual match.

Use Your Arms Actively When Playing

As hinted earlier in this article, running in soccer isn’t the same as most other sports.

In soccer, you’re most likely running in pursuit of the ball with another player by your side. So if you’re slightly outrunning the other player, it doesn’t hurt to give them a slight push, putting you ahead.

As long as you keep your arms low and you’re not making active contact with the other player’s stomach or chest, you should always be able to avoid a penalty. However, it’s also crucial to note that pulling a player will always be a foul, regardless of the circumstances.

Next Steps

If you can combine these techniques in your regular training, you will soon see a difference in your speed on the field.

Don’t forget to check out my 30-Day Soccer Fitness Program.

For more drills that you would find helpful to improve, check out my list of top 10 Soccer Coaching Drills: Perfect for Practice Sessions or 10 Soccer Ball Control and Footwork Drills (For All Ages).

To get better at juggling, you need to focus on your technique and stamina. Improving your technique will help you juggle for longer, and increasing your stamina will prevent you from getting tired quickly and making mistakes.

Repetition is vital in learning a skill, but performing it correctly each time you repeat it will take you further quicker.

Take your time to focus on each of these tips and understand what you need to do. Then get hold of a soccer ball and practice.

You’ll notice the improvement in no time!

1. Play a Soccer Ball Juggling Game

This is my top tip for getting better at juggling a soccer ball because it’s fun and productive at the same time.

Combining your practice time with a competitive game makes the practice far more enjoyable. Not only do you spend time working on your juggling skills and getting better, but you can hang out and compete with your friends at the same time.

I’ve filled many hours working on my ability to juggle a soccer ball this way.

My favorite soccer ball juggling game is soccer tennis. It’s simple to understand but exciting enough to play for hours.

Soccer Tennis: A Soccer Ball Juggling Game

The rules are similar to regular tennis, but you use a soccer ball and your foot instead of a tennis ball and racket.

You will need: A ball, a net, a minimum of two players, and some sort of boundary markers.

The rules: Set the court up to resemble a tennis court. (If you have access to a tennis court to play this game, that’s even better!) Set up the net across the center of the court and mark the boundary lines.

One player starts the game by kicking the ball from the back of the court, over the net, into the opposition’s side.

The ball is only allowed to bounce once on either side of the net before it must be returned to your opponent’s side of the net. However, a player can take as many touches of the ball before returning it, as long as it only touches the ground once. (This is where the juggling practice comes in!).

How to score points: A team gets a point every time their opponents fail to return the ball or kick it out of play.

Give the game a try and see what you think. The more you play, the more time you will spend practicing your juggling skills and ball control.

2. Work on One Specific Skill Until You’ve Mastered It

My second tip is to choose one specific skill and work on it until you’ve mastered it.

This is a great way of keeping your practice time interesting. Because, let’s face it, simply kicking a ball up with one foot repetitively for an hour can get boring quickly.

In my journey to improve at juggling a soccer ball, I found that choosing a skill I really wanted to get good at was key to my improvement and keeping me going.

For example, when I first started, I solely practiced mastering an “around the world” for an entire week until I was comfortable doing it.

This was really beneficial for my ability to control the ball and caused me to spend hours with the ball as I focussed on achieving my goal.

To implement this tip, you can choose any skill you like.

Have a look at this video below of some of the best soccer tricks and skills for inspiration.

I’ve put together a list of tricks and skills and a step by step guide on how to do them, but if there is any other skill you really want to master, I would encourage you to find out how to do it and then spend at least a few days working on it.

By the end, I’m sure you’ll notice that you have improved.

3. Concentrate on Improving Your Body Position

Another piece of advice that I’ve benefited from is to focus on my body position as I juggle the ball.

To be able to juggle for a long time, you need to ensure you are using the best techniques. Part of that is maintaining the best body position.

When juggling a soccer ball, your body position should be: 

• feet shoulder-width apart,
• your knees slightly bent,
• standing on the balls of your feet,
• have your head leaning over the body.

When I first started, there was too many time where I was standing flat-footed, and my knees were straight.

In this position, I was not ready to respond to the movement of the ball. The extra moments that it took me to move when the ball went in a different direction to what I expected caused me to struggle to see a quick improvement.

Once someone pointed out what I was doing wrong, it made a world of difference.

Next time you have a ball at your feet and you’re working on one of my recommended soccer ball juggling drills, concentrate on maintaining the correct body position.

It may feel strange at first as you get used to it, but it will feel natural in time, and you’ll see your ability to juggle the ball increase.

4. Focus On Your Increasing Fitness and Stamina

Next, I want to encourage you to work on your fitness and stamina as a way to get better at juggling.

If you’re new to this and still working through my 10 Easy Steps for Learning How to Juggle a Soccer Ball, then you may not realize how much energy it takes to juggle for an extended time.

At first, it can get tiring quickly! And when your body is tired, you tend to make more mistakes.

This can make the whole process frustrating.

To overcome this barrier, it’s essential to work on your fitness alongside your technical skills.

Cardio is a good option here, as well as strength exercises for your legs.

To make things really easy though, I created a 30-Day Soccer Fitness Course.

In this program, I take you through a daily, step-by-step workout session to help you see significant improvements in your fitness in just one month!

It’s a HIIT-based workout program based on the same fitness techniques that pro soccer players use.

If it works for them, just imagine how good it would be for you.

To find out more, click here or on the button below.

Improving your fitness is one of the many surprising benefits of juggling a soccer ball.

5. Juggle With a Smaller Soccer Ball

Although a size five soccer ball is the standard size for most soccer games, there are other size soccer balls.

Juggling a smaller ball is an option you may have heard of before but never tried. If that’s true, I would encourage you to give it a go.

Juggling with a small soccer ball helps you improve your ball control, focus, and precision.

The reason for this is because it’s harder to juggle with a smaller ball than it is with a bigger ball. So you’ll have to work hard to get good at it!

But don’t worry, this hard work will pay off.

Practicing with a smaller ball forces you to concentrate more on what you are doing and be more precise with your contact with the ball.

It’s much easier for a size 3 ball to fly off in a direction you didn’t intend because you didn’t kick the ball quite right or with the correct part of your foot.

This means you need to improve your first touch and focus on what you are doing.

This development in your skills will carry over to using a bigger, size five ball again.

If you don’t have access to a size 3 ball, I recommend this one on Amazon. But there are also a ton of other size 3 balls available on there, so have a look around and see what you like.

One note of caution here: Don’t spend all your time using a size 3 ball rather than a size 5. Too much time with a smaller ball means you may hinder your progression with a larger ball. So instead of just using a small ball, mix up your practice session and use both sizes.

6. Start by Having Someone Throw a Ball Toward You

Another tip I want to share with you that I found beneficial is to have someone throw the ball to you before you juggle it.

A lot of the time we spend practicing juggling, we’re on our own. This makes sense as it is primarily a one-person activity.

But having someone else help you can increase your ability to perform this one-person activity.

My advice is to find someone willing to help you who is committed to your development. Then, have them stand 5 or 10 yards in front of you with the ball in their hands.

When you’re ready, get them to throw the ball to you around waist height. Control the ball and then juggle it five times before kicking the ball back to them to catch.

Throughout this whole process, the ball should not touch the floor once.

You can add variations to this drill by changing the number of times you juggle the ball before kicking it back to the catcher, or the catcher can stand further away.

This drill is ideal for improving your first touch and initial ball control and helps your juggling skills to improve.

If you are on your own, you can do this drill next to a wall and bounce the ball off the wall instead of having someone catch it.

Or if there are more than two of you you can stand in a circle and throw the ball to each other to juggle it and then pass it on to the next person.

7. Commit to Practicing 30 Minutes Every Day for a Month

My last tip is to make a time commitment to see a significant improvement.

I found that it was too easy just to practice when I felt like it rather than consistently, and that was hindering my development.

Once I committed to a consistent routine, I saw my improvement sky-rocket! Self-discipline is key to development in so many areas of life, not just soccer.

I recommend starting with 20 minutes a day, every day for 30 days.

If this feels too much or too little, feel free to adapt it to what works for you. Just make sure you’re not too hard on yourself or too easy.

Set an achievable but challenging goal.

If after this you’re looking for another challenge, have a look at my tips on how to juggle with bare feet. Or How to Make a Soccer Team: 14 Tips to Impress the Coaches.

To juggle a soccer ball for a long time, you need to practice juggling every day for at least a month. During this time, you should focus on increasing your stamina and improving your control of the ball. You also need to be comfortable juggling with all parts of your body.

Increasing the length of time you can juggle a soccer ball will make you a better all-around soccer player.

Here are my top tips on how to juggle for a long time.

Tip 1: Check You Are Using the Correct Technique

The first step to increasing the length of time you can juggle a soccer ball is to ensure you are using the correct technique.

So many times, I’ve seen people frustrated that they can’t keep a ball up for longer. But when I look at what they are doing, it quickly becomes apparent that they have a problem on a basic level.

Their technique is wrong.

Thankfully this can be fixed.

Even if you feel you’ve mastered the basics of juggling a ball, I would encourage you to go back one more time and check you are using the best technique.

Doing this can potentially save you hours of frustration.

The beginning of the video below gives you a great example of using the correct technique and why it’s so important.

If you need more advice, check out my Beginners guide to juggling a soccer ball: Step-by-Step.

Once you are confident you are using the correct technique, your journey to being able to juggle for a long time will be much shorter and quicker!

Tip 2: Practice Juggling the Ball Everyday

The next tip is to make sure you practice juggling a soccer ball every day.

Now, I know this type of advice can seem really obvious and unoriginal, but the reality is that doing this is super important!

It can be easy to forget or to skip a day because you want a break, but the discipline of practicing every day will help you reach your goal so much quicker.

If you find this boring, I recommend attempting a different juggling drill each day.

As an example of this, you may want to follow the 7-day plan below.

You can repeat this plan as often as you like or adapt it to your own needs.

Even if it’s only for 5 minutes, I would encourage you to make practicing a priority.

Tip 3: Work on Soccer Drills That Improve Your First Touch

Another aspect of learning how to juggle for a long time that many people don’t consider is focusing on soccer drills to improve your first touch of the ball.

First touch in soccer is such an essential aspect of playing well.

Practicing juggling a ball will improve your first touch in the same way that improving your first touch will enhance your ability to juggle a soccer ball. For more reasons why juggling a ball is so important, check out my article – 5 Surprising Benefits of Juggling a Soccer Ball.

My favorite drill for improving first touch is the box drill. It’s simple yet really helps players improve quickly.

You can see it used at the beginning of this video below. And if you want more first touch drill options, check out the others on the video.

I recommend working on a first touch drill at least once a week, but more is better if possible.

Tip 4: Increase Your Level of Physical Fitness

Another vital area that can improve your ability to juggle the ball for a long time is increasing your fitness levels.

I’ve written about this recently in my articles – How to Get in Shape for Soccer and How to Get in Shape for Soccer FAST!

When you are attempting to do anything for a long time, increasing your stamina will be critical.

The longer you juggle a soccer ball, the more tired you will become. Your legs will struggle the most with this.

If you can spend time each week working on your fitness alongside your ball control skills, you will reach your goal of juggling a ball for a long time so much sooner.

This is one of the reasons I created the 30-Day Soccer Fitness Guide.

I created this daily, step-by-step fitness program specifically to help soccer players like you get fit or boost their fitness levels.

The program is formed around a HIIT-based workout program, which is precisely what the professionals use.

In just one month, you could see your fitness levels exponentially increase and significantly increase your impact during a soccer game.

This will also increase your ability to juggle a soccer ball continuously.

No one ever regretted become a fitter soccer player!

Tip 5: Ask Someone to Watch You and Give Feedback

This last tip is a really effective step that many people don’t even consider.

Having a friend or a coach watch you juggling the ball and then providing feedback on what you are doing well and not doing so well can really open your eyes to areas you can improve.

It’s easy to become hyper-focused on one area of development that we are working on and forget about the bigger picture.

Having someone else look over what you are doing allows them to observe your overall performance and potentially notice things you haven’t.

One word of caution here is to make sure you ask someone you trust and who knows what they are talking about.

It may be easier to ask your neighbor their opinion, but if they are not experienced in juggling a ball, they may end up giving you unhelpful advice. You don’t want to risk anything that will set you back.

For more helpful soccer advice check out one of my related articles:

• How to juggle a soccer ball without shoes
• 10 Best Soccer Drills for Beginners

The benefits of juggling a soccer ball are increased confidence for a player with the ball at their feet, improved control of the ball on the soccer field, and development of a player’s focus as they learn to follow the movement of the ball.

Improving in each of these areas is critical to a soccer player’s performance during a soccer game. After reading this article, you’ll see how you can make the most of juggling to see an improvement in your own performance.

Why Juggling a Soccer Ball Is Important

The record for the longest time continuously controlling or juggling a soccer ball is held by Abraham Muñoz. He completed 21 hours and 1 minute juggling a soccer ball on May 20, 2010, in New York.

This is a long time to continuously juggle a soccer ball without it touching the ground!

Now, while you or I may never reach this level of ability to juggle a ball, there are specific reasons why learning to juggle a soccer ball is beneficial for any soccer player.

The reasons why juggling a soccer ball is important are:

1. It builds a player’s confidence with the ball 
2. It improves a player’s first touch and control of the ball
3. Improves a player’s focus
4. Develops a player’s discipline
5. Helps a player’s timing and spatial awareness

Let’s look at each of these to understand how keeping a soccer ball off the ground helps a player!

1. Juggling a Soccer Ball Builds a Player’s Confidence

Learning to juggle a soccer ball is a great way for a player to build confidence with the ball because it gives a player multiple touches of the ball in a short space of time.

I can’t overstate the importance of regularly touching the ball in a player’s development.

The more times a player touches the ball, the more comfortable they become with knowing how the ball will respond to each touch.

Will it go high or low?

Will it move fast or slow?

As players start to notice these minor differences each time they touch the ball, they learn how to optimize what they are doing.

This awareness improves the results of their touch and improves their skills and abilities.

Discover the best way I’ve found to learn how to juggle in my article – How to juggle a soccer ball in 10 easy steps.

2. Juggling a Soccer Ball Improves a Player’s First Touch

Learning to juggle a soccer ball also improves a player’s first touch and control of the ball.

There isn’t much more important in a soccer game than a player’s first touch.

If you’re unsure what I mean by “first touch,” then head over to my article – First Touch in Soccer. It will explain what “first touch” means and why it’s so important in soccer.

But basically, “first touch” is how effectively a player controls the ball when it first arrives with them.

If a player has a great first touch, then everything you do after that will be better.

When players focus on their juggling and practices as often as possible, they are indirectly working on their first touch and ball control.

With every touch of the ball, they are developing their skills in this area.

They learn and adapt their movements based on how the ball reacts and understand how to direct the ball to go where they want it to.

Juggling the ball will help any player to get better.

3. Juggling a Soccer Ball Improves a Players Focus

Juggling also improves the player’s focus.

If you take your eye off the ball for even a second while you are juggling, then you can lose track of the ball, lose control, and the ball will hit the floor before you can do anything about it.

Juggling a soccer ball forces you to be focused.

Every soccer player needs to learn how to be focused when they have control of the ball or when playing a soccer game.

The ball’s movement can change in a moment, and if a player isn’t focused on what is happening, then the game, and the ball, can pass them by.

This ability will continually improve if you learn how to juggle a ball for a long time.

4. Juggling a Soccer Ball Develops a Player’s Discipline

Learning to juggle a soccer ball well takes time.

It takes a week for a player to learn the basics of how to juggle a soccer ball. Then, it takes a few months of practicing for a player to be capable of juggling for an extended period of time. And it takes around a year to master juggling a soccer ball, including multiple tricks and skills.

To achieve any of this, a player needs to be disciplined and committed to achieving their goal.

I remember spending hours as a kid practicing juggling. I was determined to improve and perform the same juggling tricks I saw the pros performing.

The benefit of this time paid off on the soccer field. As my juggling skills improved, so did my performance in a game.

If you can stay disciplined while learning to juggle a soccer ball, you can stay disciplined in other areas. In no time at all, you will be a better player than you were before.

5. Juggling a Soccer Ball Helps a Player’s Timing and Spatial Awareness

Another reason juggling is so beneficial to a player is that it can dramatically improve their timing and spatial awareness.

Timing and spatial awareness are vital to being able to juggle a ball successfully.

If your timing is off, you may kick the ball in the wrong direction, and if you struggle with spatial awareness, you may miss the ball altogether.

As players focus on the ball and their control while juggling, they are slowly developing in these areas.

As with any of the factors mentioned above, improved timing and spatial awareness will significantly help a player on the soccer field.

Juggling a Soccer Ball Helps a Player Improve

Most people’s objection to the importance of learning to juggle a soccer ball comes from the fact that you rarely see a soccer player juggling a soccer ball during a soccer game.

And this is true. It is rare to see a player juggle a soccer ball during a game.

However, it does occasionally happen, as you can see in the video below.

But as I’ve just shown above, juggling a soccer ball helps because it makes the player juggling the ball a much better all-around player.

There’s no doubt that it can take a long time to learn how to juggle a soccer ball confidently, especially when you are first starting.

The amount of time it will take depends on the individual and how much hard work and practice time they are willing to put into learning.

But if you are willing to put the time and practice in and are prepared to work hard at it, you will see a difference in a relatively short period of time.

And not only that, but you will see your all-around soccer abilities and skills improve along with your juggling skills.

If you want to practice juggling at home I recommend checking out my article – How to Juggle a Soccer Ball Without Shoes (5 Pro Tips) – as the technique is slightly different from when you are wearing shoes.

And if you want to discover some of the best tricks and skills to incorporated into your game, check out my article – 10 Easy Soccer Tricks (Incl. Video Tutorials)

To juggle a soccer ball without shoes you need to bend your knees as you kick the ball and focus on kicking the ball with the flattest part of your foot. Your foot is more angular than a shoe and therefore you need to take more care regarding where your foot and the ball make contact.

Although you obviously won’t use this skill during a soccer game it can still be fun to know and you can play around at home or with your friends on the beach!

So, let’s look at each of these tips and give you the best chance of enjoying juggling a ball without having to use your shoes.

Tip 1: Kick the Ball With Your Toes

My most important tip for juggling a soccer ball without shoes is to focus on kicking the ball with your toes rather than the top of your feet.

This is important because it is different from the best technique used for juggling a ball with shoes on your feet.

As I explain in my step-by-step how to juggle a soccer ball guide, the top part, or laces, of your shoe is the best place to kick the ball.

However, when you are not wearing shoes you want to avoid the top of your foot.

This is because this area of your foot is far more “angular” than your toe area. When the ball hits this area it is more likely to fly off in the wrong direction rather than go where you want it to go.

As the ball comes down aim for the center of the ball to make contact with your big toe. This toe has the biggest surface area giving you the most control over where the ball goes.

Tip 2: Cushion the Ball as It Makes Contact With Your Foot

Make sure you cushion the ball as it touches your foot.

When you are not wearing shoes you lose the padding on your foot that the shoes provide. This causes the ball to bounce more erratically after you kick it when not wearing shoes.

To counteract this you need to make sure you cushion the ball as you touch it.

The best technique for doing this is to bring your foot down slightly as your foot and the ball makes contact. This technique can take a bit of time to master as you also want to be kicking the ball up at the same time!

Your toes should be soft to cushion the ball but sturdy enough to push the ball back up.

Tip 3: Bend Your Knees as You Juggle the Ball

Another tip that will help you control the ball is to make sure you bend your knees as you kick the ball.

Having a straight leg doesn’t give you the control you need when you’re juggling the ball without shoes.

Beginners are especially likely to make this mistake. You’ll see their leg fully extended as they kick the ball.

To avoid this mistake, focus on keeping your knees bent at all times. Even your standing leg.

This position will keep you ready to shift and adapt to the movement of the ball and give you far more control over the ball as you juggle with it.

It may feel unusual at first and take a bit of practice, but once you master this technique you will appreciate the advantages.

Tip 4: Stand on the Balls of Your Feet

When you are attempting to juggle a soccer ball without shoes then you need to be fully aware of how quickly the ball can move.

Juggling with shoes on tends to make it easier to control the ball and makes it easier to juggle for a long time. When you remove your shoes it’s more likely that the ball will move in directions you didn’t intend for it to move.

Standing with your weight on the balls of your feet keeps you ready to adjust your body and weight quickly.

If you stand flat-footed then those extra moments it takes to adjust your weight can be the difference between juggling the ball successfully or not.

Again, this may take some practice as it is asking a lot of your calf muscles, but keep trying and you will soon see the benefits.

Tip 5: Wear Socks to Reduce Any Discomfort

Tip number 5 is to wear socks when you juggle without shoes on.

(obviously, it doesn’t just have to be socks, anything that covers your feet will help)

One of the natural things to do when juggling without shoes on is to attempt to juggle with bare feet. This is especially common if you’re at the beach, for instance.

However, in my experience, this can become uncomfortable really fast. Especially if you’re using a standard size 5 soccer ball.

Most soccer balls are designed to be kicked by a player wearing shoes or soccer cleats. When you start juggling a ball barefoot, the constant impact of the ball against the foot can cause your foot to turn red and start to feel sore.

To minimize this effect, my advice is to wear socks.

You’ll still be gain the skill of juggling without shoes but you won’t have to put yourself through so much pain!

Once you have mastered the art of juggling without shoes you will soon notice how much learning to juggle a soccer ball can improve your all-around soccer performance.

For more helpful information on improving your soccer skills, check out one of my previous articles:

• How to Make a Soccer Team: 14 Tips to Impress the Coaches
• 21 Soccer Tips: For Every Player and Position
• or How to Score in Soccer: 11 Essential Tips

The key to learning how to juggle a soccer ball effectively is to become comfortable juggling the ball with your feet and to commit to practicing this skill for at least 20 minutes every day for a month. This will give you a strong foundation for being competent at juggling a soccer ball.

So, let’s look at each step now, and I’ll walk you through the process of learning how to juggle a soccer ball.

Step 1: Stand on the Balls of Your Feet With Your Knees Bent

The foundation of successfully juggling a soccer ball is to ensure your body is in the correct position.

For the duration of the time you are juggling a ball, stand on the balls of your feet with your knees bent. It would help if you also kept your head leaning slightly over the ball, looking down at your feet.

Keep your arms bent with your hands out at 45 degrees to your body and position your feet approximately the width of a soccer ball apart.

This position is perfect for maintaining your balance while you practice. As a result, you will be less likely to lose your balance and constantly ready to respond to the ball’s movement.

Step 2: Drop the Ball, Let It Bounce, Then Kick It Back Up

We’ll start by learning how to juggle with one foot.

The best way to start learning to juggle is to start with your dominant foot and then move to your weaker foot when you are comfortable with your first foot. 

• Hold the ball out in front of you at chest height and drop it to the ground.

• Straight after the ball bounces and is descending again, use your foot to kick the ball straight back up and catch it with your hands.

• Make sure that you aim to kick the ball with the laces of your shoes and not your toes. Your laces are where you are aiming for, as this will give you the most control over the ball.

You also want to ensure that you keep your toes curled up and your ankle is locked as you kick the ball.

Repeat this step until you can consistently catch the ball and it starts to feel comfortable.

Top Tip – If the ball is bouncing too high or is hard to control with your foot, deflate the ball a little. This will reduce the height the ball bounces of your foot and hopefully make it easier to control.

Step 3: Gradually Increase the Number of Times You Kick the Ball

As soon as you feel comfortable with the first step, add in more kicks between catching the ball.

For example, instead of kicking it once and catching it, kick it two times then catch it. Then, when you are comfortable doing this, kick the ball three times, then catch it.

Work your way up until you are comfortable kicking the ball at least 10 times in a row with your foot between catches.

Here is a good stage to start learning to put some backspin on the ball as you kick it up. Backspin will help you control the ball and keep the ball near your body as you juggle.

When you can do this, you are ready to move on to the next drill.

Step 4: Drop the Ball and Kick It Back With Your Weaker Foot

Now you’re going to repeat steps 2 and 3 but switch to using your other foot.

Follow the process in the same way as before.

When you are comfortable kicking the ball at least ten times in a row with your foot between catches, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Step 5: Kick the Ball Between Your Feet Before Catching It

The next step in learning how to juggle a soccer ball is to begin kicking the ball between your feet before catching it.

Juggling a ball with your feet is the foundational part of juggling a soccer ball. This is because your feet touch the ball more than any other part of your body.

The quicker you can become comfortable juggling the ball with your feet, the quicker your juggling skills will improve and you will begin to see the multiple benefits juggling a ball has for soccer.

For this step, drop the ball in front of you as in the previous steps. But instead of kicking the ball straight back up, kick it up and toward your other foot. (It doesn’t matter which foot kicks the ball first.)

Then kick the ball back up with your second foot and catch it.

So the juggling sequence should be: Drop (the ball) – bounce (on the floor) – kick (with one foot) – kick (with the other foot) – and catch.

As you gain confidence doing this, increase the number of kicks between feet before you catch the ball.

Once you can comfortably do 10 kicks between your feet before catching the ball, you are ready to move on to the next step.

Step 6: Focus On Controlling the Height of Your Kick

At this point, I want you to repeat steps 2 -5 but focus on controlling the height of the ball as you kick it.

You should aim for the ball to travel up to waist height before descending again. Ideally, you don’t want to kick the ball higher than chest height.

The reason for focusing on this is to make it as easy as possible for you to control the ball and improve your juggling abilities.

If the ball travels too high, it can be hard to control again. On the other hand, if you don’t kick the ball high enough, you have no time to react to the ball’s movement.

Improving in this area will be key to becoming competent at juggling for a long time.

Practice this skill until you are comfortable with it.

Step 7: Drop the Ball Onto Your Thigh and Catch It

Now we are going to start learning how to juggle a soccer ball with your thigh or knee.

Although many people refer to this part of juggling as “using your knees”, the reality is that you should be using your thigh and not your knees.

Your thigh is a muscle and therefore softer than your knee, which is bone. This makes your thigh much better at cushioning the ball and gives you more control over the ball.

• Starting with the ball in your hands, gently drop the ball up in front of you.

• As the ball comes down, bring your thigh up to meet the ball.

• Aim for your thigh to make contact with the ball when your leg is at 90 degrees, or a right angle, to your body.

• Making contact with the ball in this position pushes the ball straight back up rather than away from you.

Getting the timing of this right can take a while, so keep practicing until you get it right. 

Repeat this until you feel comfortable, then switch to your other leg.

As soon as you are confident using both thighs, start to add in more hits of the ball with your thigh between catching the ball.

Work your way up until you are comfortable hitting the ball at least ten times in a row with your thighs between catches. When you can do this, you are ready to move on to the next step.

Step 8: Throw the Ball up and Return the Ball With Your Head

Step 8 in how to juggle a soccer ball is to become comfortable juggling the ball with your head.

If you’re at all worried about this hurting your head, check out my article – Does a Soccer Header Hurt? How to minimize any pain. I wrote it to explain the best technique for heading a soccer ball. It should help.

When heading a soccer ball while juggling, the critical thing to remember is that the contact should be between your forehead and the ball and not any other part of your head.

You should also always move your head towards the ball rather than letting the ball hit you. This enables you to put power and direction behind your header and should make it more comfortable.

To juggle a soccer ball with your head, begin by gently throwing the ball up in front of you, approximately 3 feet (1m) above your head.

As the ball descends, use your neck muscles to move your forehead towards the ball. Aim to make contact at the moment your neck is fully extended.

Head the ball straight up towards the sky. As the ball comes back down, catch it in your hands and then repeat.

Start adding in more hits of the ball with your head between catching the ball. 

Work your way up until you are comfortable heading the ball at least 10 times in a row between catches. When you can do this comfortably, you are ready to move on.

Step 9: Bring Each Element Together by Following a Set Pattern

Now, this is where it really starts to become fun!

Mastering the art of juggling the ball with all parts of your body is why most people learn to juggle a soccer ball.

Start slow.

Start by combining just two parts of the body before combining them all.

I recommend following a pattern to improve your control.

For example, you could follow a pattern such as: “foot – foot – thigh -thigh – catch“. (Each mention of a body part represents a kick of the ball with that part of your body.)

Or: “head – head – foot – foot – catch“.

Practice this until you are confident before moving on.

You could then juggle with all parts of your body using a pattern such as: “foot – thigh – head – thigh – foot” or “foot – foot – thigh -thigh – head – head – thigh – thigh – foot – foot“.

Finding a rhythm with the ball helps you learn to control the ball in different situations. For example, if a player has a bad touch, they should try to recover it rather than starting over.

Feel free to begin using different combinations than the ones I’ve mentioned above. The options are endless! Feel free to experiment.

Step 10: Commit to Practicing Juggling a Soccer Ball for 20 Minutes a Day

The main reason why most people can’t juggle a soccer ball is that they haven’t put enough time and practice into learning and refining this skill.

Any soccer skill, including juggling the ball, requires a player to practice as often as possible if they want to see an improvement.

Consistently practicing is the most important lesson I want to leave you with from this article.

To consistently improve your juggling skills, commit to practicing for at least 20 minutes a day for up to one month.

I remember when I was younger spending hours in an empty room of our house simply practicing my juggling. (For those of you worried about me kicking a soccer ball indoors, don’t worry! When I was inside, I always used a small foam soccer ball, so I didn’t cause any damage!)

My point is that even if you don’t start following the correct techniques or drills, you will naturally improve and refine your skills every day and consistently improve if you regularly practice.

Know you know the basics of how to juggle a soccer ball you may want to follow some specific soccer juggling drills to improve further.

Or you may want to learn how to juggle a soccer ball without shoes!